The Senate passed the request for extending the National State of Emergency for another 17 days. The motion passed with a vote of 17 of the 32 legislators. The previous extension was for 12 days and is scheduled to expire on 14 June 2020. The new extension would run to four days before the 5 July 2020 presidential and congressional election date. This would be the fifth extension.
The Ministry of Public Health recommended the extension so the country continues to enforce the 7pm to 5am Monday to Saturday and 5pm to 5am Sunday curfew.
Nevertheless, there is widespread opposition to continuing the curfew. Already the reopening plan contemplates bans on night time businesses until next month. Likewise, the number of deaths and hospitalized persons has kept stable, and the government is advancing with the economic recovery phases.
José Ignacio Paliza, president of the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), says the extension is unnecessary. Ministry of Public Health laws can deal with health issues. Paliza spoke of how shopping malls are open since Mother’s Day at the end of May, and most people have returned to work, bringing a new normal to the country. He also highlighted that the National State of Emergency sends a wrong message to the world. The tourism industry is scheduled to reopen as of 1 July 2020.
Mariasela Alvarez and Diana Lora of Esta Noche con Mariasela interviewed epidemiologist Ernesto Guerrero. He explained the epidemic is on decline in the country, and this is confirmed by the stability in hospitalized patients and the death rate. Furthermore, the president of the Society of Neumology, Ivelisse Acosta also said it is unneeded. Dr. Acosta criticized the government for not socializing the parameters used for making decisions regarding actions for the coronavirus.
As has occurred in the past extensions, the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) does not have the majority in the Chamber of Deputies, but the media says the government has lobbied to “convince” several opposition deputies to secure the needed number of votes.
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Jose Ignacio Paliza in the Senate
Esta Noche con Mariasela
Esta Noche con Mariasela
Esta Noche con Mariasela
University of Washington Health Data
10 June 2020